Chandler, Arizona
Sweet Pea ​Births
Sweet Pea ​Births
...celebrating every swee​t pea their birth
...celebrating every swee​t pea their birth
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Writing Your Birth Plan
Posted on January 18, 2011 at 5:05 AM |
We had graduates from our fall class, Elana, Dean and Baby Eli, tell us their birth
story at last night’s class. This family had an outcome that was very close to the plan they wrote using
information they learned in class, research on the internet, and feedback from
their care provider. They emphasized that although you write a plan, it is also important to be flexible and make decisions that result in having a healthy mom and a healthy baby. Here are the questions that the class asked after hearing
their birth story: 1. In response
to hearing that Mom had to wait to push until the doctor arrived from her
office hours: A coach asked:
I thought your doctor would be at the hospital when you are in labor? Answer: It
depends on your doctor’s practice protocol. In a large practice with several doctors, there is probably
a doctor on call at the hospital every day – they take turns doing 24 hour
shifts at the hospital. In a
single-practitioner office, they may have a doctor they partner with so that
they can have time off and do “on-call” for each other. This particular doctor works 3 miles
away from the hospital where she has privileges, and she had been in contact
with the nurses’ station throughout the day to check in on Mom’s progress. If you have a concern about who will
attend your birth, clarify what your doctor’s protocol is and figure out if
their protocol matches your expectations. 2. Upon hearing that our graduates asked almost every care person that attended to mom if
they had read the family’s birth plan, a student asked: So you walk into the hospital with a
piece of paper - what do you do with it?
Who do you give it to? Answer: You
bring your birth plan with you to the hospital. Bring several copies just in case a nurse or care provider
hasn’t read it in your file before they visit you in your labor and delivery
room. If you arrive at a point in
your labor that you are admitted, you give one to the triage nurse upon
admission. Keep the others with
you so that you can post one in your room, and pass them out if necessary.
A birth plan informs your care team about your wishes for a normal,
uncomplicated labor. It can also
outline your wishes in the case of an emergency situation. It also serves as a point of reference
for any decisions you are faced with in your labor. Before you were in the heat of the moment, how did you feel
about the options and choices that you are faced with during labor and
delivery? This helps remind you
and your care providers what your wishes are regarding your care.
In the event that you have to deviate from your birth plan, you and your
partner have probably already discussed how you feel about different options in
the process of preparing your birth plan.
You are both probably in a better position to make an informed decision
regarding Mom’s care.
This couple had also outlined their wishes for baby’s care after he was
born – they did express that the only person who probably didn’t read the birth
plan was the baby nurse. In the
wave of emotion that they were caught up in after the birth, they forgot to ask
if she had read the birth plan. Although she didn’t follow their exact wishes,
they felt like baby had the best care possible given the lack of communication. 3. After
hearing Mom’s side of the story, a pregnant student asked: So what does it feel like? Is it what you expected? Graduate’s Answer:
If you have ever had cramps in the abdominal area, or (sorry if this
sounds gross) you have had a big bowel movement, it’s just magnified. They are sensations you have already
had, just “bigger”. It will feel
like the biggest poop in your life, but it will be such a relief, it will feel
so good when you are holding your baby.
If it tells you anything, I would do it again! Disclaimer: The material included on this site is for informational purposes only. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. The reader should always consult her or his healthcare provider to determine the appropriateness of the information for their own situation. This blog contains information about our classes
available in Chandler, AZ and Payson, AZ and is not the official website of The Bradley Method®. The views contained on this blog do not necessarily reflect those of The Bradley Method® or the American
Academy of Husband-Coached Childbirth®. |
Categories: Birth place options, Birth plans, Birth Story, Bradley Method® birth story, Bradley Method® outcome, Managing or coping with natural labor
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Elana
9:14 PM on January 19, 2011
There were so many other things I forgot to mention that night. I didn't think about them until after we left... I didn't need an episiotomy, but I did tear a little. I recieved quite a few comments from the nurses in the hospital in regards to me being up and moving about. I felt that I had such a great recovery because I was able to be so mobile afterwards. When I actually gave birth, I opted to being in a sitting-up position versus squatting or other positions. I feel this was due to the overwhelming urge to push. I just needed to push. It was a great experience and thanks to the Bowmans for letting us share it!

Reply
Krystyna
12:33 PM on January 20, 2011
Elana - I had forgotten about the tear, too. It happened because Eli wanted his hand to come out with his head - I remember thinking that I got to see a "variation" on my first birth attendance! And you and Dean were so awesome that day - you made the best out of Dean's broken ankle!!
You delivered in what is considered the "classic" position that we teach in Class 6 - and you rocked it! It was so awesome to see a baby born in two pushes. You were amazing that day - so calm, cool and collected as a first-time mom.
Thanks to all of you for coming to share your story with our class - we appreciate it! You make parenting look so easy - it was adorable to watch Eli sleep on your lap as you talked.
You delivered in what is considered the "classic" position that we teach in Class 6 - and you rocked it! It was so awesome to see a baby born in two pushes. You were amazing that day - so calm, cool and collected as a first-time mom.
Thanks to all of you for coming to share your story with our class - we appreciate it! You make parenting look so easy - it was adorable to watch Eli sleep on your lap as you talked.
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